by Abby Brooks
Charlie nods and stares out at the water, studying it like he would a potential enemy. Max understands that Charlie needs facts and information to help him through his fears. My instinct is to gloss over it all. I would have brushed off his question and then given him some bullshit answer, but that doesn’t work for a kid who’s already dealt with his fair share of monsters in his short little life. A kid who knows firsthand that danger can be hiding anywhere, in anyone and anything.
“Why don’t we look up all the stuff we can find about what kind of sharks live here when we get to the house?” Max glances at Charlie again. “We can learn where they like to hunt and what kind of signs we can look out for and then we know what to avoid when we’re in the water. Sound good?”
Charlie nods. “Yep. Knowledge is power,” he says, parroting the phrase Max says every time we run into a situation like this.
Max is such a beautiful person, so strong and smart. So protective and deeply loyal. Who would have thought he had all that goodness hiding under his scowling face and rough exterior? And Charlie? I think he’s got the same kind of soul. I’m so glad we found him when we did, even if we have had to fight through some difficult transitions.
In this moment, the anxiety I’ve been living with almost constantly for the last few months has faded from view and I feel pretty damn wonderful. And then we arrive at the house we rented and it all comes zooming back and my shoulders clench and my stomach rolls with worry. I mean, I love the house. Really love it.
It’s this stately thing with a wraparound porch and all these windows that look out onto our own private beach. Palm trees line the driveway and they sway in the light breeze coming off the ocean as if to welcome us home. It’s all so beautiful I could just pop with happiness.
The house isn’t the problem. The problem is that I suddenly realize we’re all going to be crammed into this gorgeous house together.
All of us.
My whole entire family will be sharing one space for the next few days. My sisters are fine. They love me. They love Max. We’ll have fun together, no doubt about it.
But my parents?
Oh. My. Fucking. God.
I can’t do this.
Max and Charlie have dealt with enough of my whining already, so I put on a huge smile and wipe my sweaty palms on the back of my shorts as we climb out of the car. A man and a woman—the owners of the property I assume—stand up out of the white wicker recliners on the porch and come down to greet us.
“Hey there. You must be Max and Chelsea,” says a man with dark hair and kind eyes. He extends a hand to Max. “I’m Ian Moore and this here is my beautiful better half, Juliet.” He gestures to an adorable woman who nods in greeting while a little Yorkshire Terrier winds its way through her legs.
Charlie is instantly taken with the dog, which is surprising because he tends to look at all new animals like they might bite. “What’s his name?” he asks as he crouches down and holds out his hand.
“Oh,” says Ian, looking at his wife with a wicked gleam in his eyes. “That’s Chopper.”
Charlie looks up, surprised. “Chopper?” He regards the little dog, sizing it up and shaking his head.
Juliet laughs. “No, her name isn’t Chopper. Would you please stop telling people that?” She gives Ian a look that means trouble. “Her name is Lulu and she’s very nice. You want to play with her while we show your mom and dad the house?”
I cringe, waiting for Charlie’s stock answer of they’re not my mom and dad. There’s always a moment of awkwardness that follows something like that. Imagine my surprise when he doesn’t say it.
“Sure,” he says, shrugging. “She got a ball or anything?”
Juliet pulls a toy out of her purse and hands it to Charlie who runs off to play with the dog in the front yard.
“I bring her when I know visitors are arriving with kids who’ve been cramped in the car for more than a handful of hours.” Juliet gives me a knowing smile.
“Brilliant,” I say because it really is.
Ian wraps a strong arm around Juliet’s shoulders. “She’s really the brains of this operation. I’d be lost without her.”
They show us around the house and it’s everything I could possibly want. I was excited after seeing the pictures online, but it turns out the pictures didn’t do it justice. The master bedroom is downstairs and off to itself, so Max and I can have some much needed privacy. The king-sized bed is situated so the first thing we see in the morning will be the sun coming up over the ocean through the floor to ceiling windows that make up the entire east facing wall.
“We’ve stocked the bar for you,” says Ian as we walk out into the family room. He indicates a gorgeous wrap around bar with a marble top that Dakota is going to love. “It’s all free of charge. Our gift to you.”
“That’s incredibly kind.” I run my hands over the cool stone and see an array of liquors and wines arranged on the shelves.
Ian looks at Juliet with nothing but love in his eyes. “We kind of have a soft spot for people being in love here in Bliss.”
“Don’t let his tough exterior fool you,” she says. “He’s got a romantic streak a mile wide.”
We finish our tour of the house and get instructions on how to work the hot tub and who to call if there’s a problem with the pool. The more time we spend here, the happier I get. Max was right. This is the perfect spot to get married.
“So,” says Max as Ian hands him the keys. “We’re planning to be as relaxed as we can while we’re here. Just spend our days drunk and happy on the beach. But, in case we need out of the house, could you recommend anything in the area?”
“I took her skydiving when we first met,” Ian says, gesturing towards Juliet. “I swear it helped seal the deal.”
“Skydiving?” My heart speeds up just thinking about it. “Wasn’t that terrifying?” I ask Juliet as Charlie comes bounding back to the porch with Lulu.
“Utterly. But I’d highly recommend it anyway.”
Charlie’s eyes go wide. “Skydiving? Like jumping out of a plane? Can we please do that?”
“I’m not making any promises,” says Max, but he gets the information from Ian anyway.
Great. And now my hands are sweating again.
“If skydiving isn’t your thing,” Ian continues. “There’s Fantastic Sam’s in downtown Bliss. They have live musicians almost every night and it’s a local favorite. I think the whole town shows up as soon as the sun goes down.”
Juliet glances at Charlie. “Although it’s a bar, so it’s not exactly kid friendly.”
“That’s true.” Ian shrugs. “Well, I was trying not to play up my family, but if you want coffee, there’s Good Beginnings. My brother and his fiancée own it and I highly recommend you pick up some of the house blend if you’re coffee fans. There’s also Moore Good Eats—”
I perk up when I hear the name. “That’s where we’re having the rehearsal dinner!”
“My other brother is the owner. I promise you, you’ll be very pleased with your choice.”
Juliet nods her approval. “You really will.”
“Wow,” says Max, eyeing the Moores. “You guys kind of own this town, don’t you?”
“I wouldn’t go that far,” says Ian.
“Again, don’t let him fool you.” Juliet shakes her head and gathers Lulu into her arms. “His family is pretty much local royalty.”
“Our family.” Ian smiles down at his wife and I want to ask them how long they’ve been married. I’ve never seen such a happy couple.
The Moores leave and we send Charlie out to play in the pool while we carry our suitcases in and unpack. We hang my dress and his tuxedo next to each other in the closet and I get all teary-eyed looking at them like that. Side by side, wrapped in plastic, a promise of so many good years ahead of us. I hope we stay as happy as we are right now. That our love is as palpable as Ian and Juliet Moore’s.
We head downstairs, Max’s fingers twining with mine, me pres
sing against his strong body and I have to admit, this place really is blissful. Charlie’s out splashing in the pool, his happy laughter mixing with the constant rush of the waves lapping up onto the beach and it all soothes some rough patch on my soul.
And then, as if on cue, like thunder rolling off in the distance just as you decide to go out and enjoy the day, comes the sound of cars in the driveway. Doors slam shut, first one, then two, then so many there’s no doubt in my mind that my entire family has arrived at the same time.
So much for bliss.
Chapter Two
Suddenly the house is churning right along with my stomach as my family streams through the front door, dragging luggage and bags that bump and thump over the tile floors. My sister squeal and run to hug me and I stumble backwards a little.
“Holy shit!” Dakota steps back and looks around. “This place is incredible!”
“Dakota…” My mother shakes her head and looks stern. “Language.”
Maya rolls her eyes at me. “I wonder if she even noticed that at some point along the way, we all grew up?”
There’s handshaking and back thumping from the men, my dad and Dominic greeting Max with the appropriate level of manly detachment.
“This place looks like it cost a pretty penny.” Dad raises an eyebrow as he studies his surroundings. “You sure you’ve double checked your math? This has to be a bit of a stretch for a physical therapist and a public servant.”
I swear, in that moment, my heart stops beating and my lungs stop processing oxygen and this high pitched whine settles into my head. Never in my life have I given him reason to think I’d be irresponsible about my money. That I’d be irresponsible about anything, for that matter. Max has more than enough money, thanks to an inheritance from his parents and grandma, but I’ve never bothered to tell my parents that because it’s none of their damn business.
“It’s fine, Dad,” I manage through a clenched jaw. “We’ve got this.”
Max cuts through the crowd of people to stand at my side. He wraps an arm around me and pulls me in close. His body is a shield. I feel protected by the sheer size of him. And let’s get real. With the way things are going, I really need him right now.
“I’m sure you are, dear,” says my mom with a patronizing smile that says she doesn’t believe it for an instant. “I’m just glad you’re finally getting married. When you hadn’t found anyone and you were so close to thirty…” She whispers the word like she’s naughty for even saying it out loud. “Well.” She tosses her head. “I thought you were destined to finish your poor little life all alone.”
Max tenses beside me and I hurry to fill the silence. “So,” I say brightly. “Did you guys all drive together? Or was it just good luck that you got here at the same time?”
And I use those words—good luck—with the very loosest interpretation of their meaning.
Dad drops a heavy hand on my shoulder. “We caravanned. We all wanted to do our best to make this little wedding the very best for our Moo.”
I flinch. I can feel it. I hate that nickname with every fiber of my being. It’s haunted me since I was a little girl, fueling the demon-bitch in my head to question everything I put on my plate, every bite I put in my mouth, every outfit I put on my body.
“With all due respect, Mr. London,” Max says in his most authoritative voice, the one he uses when he’s on duty. “It doesn’t take much to see from the look on your daughter’s face that she doesn’t like that nickname very much.”
My sisters’ eyebrows hit their hairlines in unison and Mom’s mouth drops open.
My dad actually pinches my cheek. “But I love my squishy little Moo.”
“Maybe it’s time you take a real look at the gorgeous woman your daughter has become. She’s not your squishy little anything anymore. She’s smart. Strong. Successful in her field. Sought after for her expertise.” Max smiles down at me. “And she’s the most beautiful woman I’ve ever seen.”
The stunned silence actually echoes through the room and I don’t know how that’s even a thing but it’s totally happening right now. My dad purses his lips and regards Max as a cat might regard a mouse he may or may not want to pounce on at some point in the near future.
“Well,” huffs my mother, looking around for some way to politely end the conversation. “Why don’t we all get ourselves situated.”
We show them to the bedrooms upstairs and there’s this blessed quiet few minutes as everyone unpacks and gets their things in order.
“Thank you for standing up for me,” I whisper to Max.
He pulls me into his arms and runs his hands up my back. “I’ve got you,” he says as he drops his lips to mine and then all I know is that we’re kissing and it’s all good because I love this man with all that I am.
When everyone has their stuff put away, we decide to join Charlie in the pool. I admit, it’s more than a little nice, lounging around while the sun bakes my skin. Today there is no time limit. No worry. We’re here, and that’s all that has to happen. My family chatters around me, conversation and laughter ebbing and flowing like the sound of the ocean. It’s relaxing. And maybe Max was right. Maybe I really could use a chance to unwind.
And if the relaxation is nice, watching Max strut around in his bathing suit is downright decadent. That man is built like a brick wall. All hulking muscles and broad shoulders. Dominic is a big man himself, but he looks small next to my future husband.
“They sure are pretty together,” says Maya from her place on the lounge chair beside me.
“Who?” Dakota shades her eyes and looks over me to see Maya.
“Max and Dominic.” Maya jerks her chin in their direction.
“Fuck yeah, they are,” says Dakota and I’m glad Mom isn’t around to have a heart attack at her language.
We watch as Dominic finds a boogie board in the crate of pool toys near the house. He throws it into the pool and then takes a running leap onto the thing, skims a few feet across the water, and then falls into the pool. He comes up laughing, shaking water out of his dark hair.
“You gotta try it, man,” he says to Max who’s already eyeing the boogie board with excitement.
What follows is a ridiculous competition to see who can stay on the longest before falling off. Even Charlie joins in, laughing and smiling, modeling himself after the men. He couldn’t have found two better men to emulate. I may not have been Dominic’s biggest fan at first, but now that I see how happy he makes Dakota, his easy going nature is growing on me.
Before long, the men exhaust themselves and the sun gets too much for our poor Ohio skin. Back home, we’d be wearing pants and considering jackets, but here? It’s been a balmy seventy-eight degrees since we arrived. We head inside and Dakota falls in love with the bar. She mixes us drinks while we lounge around the family room.
“What else is there to do here?” asks Dominic during a lull in the conversation.
Charlie jumps up from his place on one of the couches. “We’re going to go skydiving!”
Of course, my parents are properly mortified while Dominic and Dakota look absolutely thrilled. Maya just turns to me with her eyes wide.
“We never promised anything,” I say and Max explains that the property managers suggested it.
“But there are some restaurants and coffee shops downtown,” continues Charlie, rattling off just about everything Ian told us when we arrived. “And this bar called Fantastic Sam’s that everyone here loves but probably isn’t kid friendly.” Charlie grins at Max, proud of himself for having the information that Dominic asked for.
“You’re a pretty cool kid, you know that?” asks Maya.
“Well yeah. I guess.” Charlie ducks his head. “But that’s just because I got Max to show me how.”
The entire room erupts in coos and proclamations on the sweetness of Charlie’s statement while my mother quietly corrects his grammar. Charlie’s eyes go wide as he sucks in his lips and blushes furiously. It’s the one time w
e can ever see his blonde eyebrows, when his face is red from embarrassment.
Fantastic Sam’s sounds absolutely wonderful and I can tell that my sisters feel the same way, too. What’s not to love about drinking, music, and dancing? But there’s no way Max and I can go, not with a ten-year-old boy.
“Why don’t you guys go?” I say. “Max and I will stay here and play some games with Charlie.”
Everyone looks at each other, waiting for someone else to speak before giving their opinion. It’s the single greatest weakness in my family. No one wants to say the wrong thing, because everyone knows there’s nothing worse than saying or doing the wrong thing. So we all just wait around for someone to tell us the right thing so we can cast our vote in that direction.
If anyone’s going to break the silence, it will be Dakota or Dominic, so I turn to them. “Really. It’s fine. Go. Have fun.” I smile and just as I can see them getting ready to say yes, my mom speaks up.
“You know what? Why don’t you all go? We’ll stay here with Charlie. I don’t get enough time with my new grandson, anyway.” She looks at her husband and he nods in agreement.
“We’ll take him seashell hunting on the beach.”
I study Charlie, not so sure I’m ready to leave him with my parents. Not because I don’t think they’ll take good care of them, but maybe they’ll try so hard to take good care of him that they’ll find the chinks in his armor and install a you’re not good enough button in him just like they did for me. But he’s smiling and nodding and looking downright pleased.
“That sounds awesome!” he says, staring at my mom with gratitude in his eyes and that just seals the deal.
We call it a plan and head to our respective rooms to get cleaned up for a night out. The moment our door closes behind us, Max pulls me into his arms and drags my shirt up over my head. His mouth is on my neck, my jaw, my chest.
“It was all I could do to watch you prance around in that little bikini today,” he says and then bites at my nipple through the thin lace of my bra.